2011 Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final - Newtonmore 4 Kingussie 3 | |
25 September 2011 Newtonmore won the Scottish Hydro Camanachd for the first time in 25 years when they beat Badenoch rivals Kingussie 4-3 after extra time in a pulsating final at the Bught Park, Inverness on Saturday 17 September 2011. A crowd of almost 4,000 turned up to watch one of the most anticipated finals in recent years and they weren’t disappointed. There was also television coverage and radio commentary in both English and Gaelic. Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur gave Steven MacDonald and David Cheyne the nod in attack, joining Danny MacRae and Glen MacKintosh with Cameron Binnie starting at wing centre. Kingussie boss Stevie Borthwick sprung a surprise at the start with Ryan Borthwick, who was listed as a defender, starting in the forward line and James Hutchison, who was listed as a forward, starting in defence. There was a place on the bench for Louis Munro following a broken collar bone but the game came too soon for Iain Borthwick. Thomas Borthwick returned in attack and Greg MacRae started at full centre. We should have known that we were in for an epic battle when the final exploded into life from the throw up. Anyone who was in the vicinity of the Newtonmore changing room in the minutes leading up to the sides entering the field of play will have been in little doubt that they were more than pumped up for what their first final appearance since 1997. Jamie Robinson won the centre and David Cheyne came deep to launch Newtonmore on the attack. Danny MacRae went to control the ball but it ran by him to Glen MacKintosh. However MacRae sprinted to the right to take MacKintosh’s pass in his stride and he smashed the ball into the net off Kingussie keeperAndrewBorthwick. Newtonmore led 1-0 with just 12 seconds on the clock. Kingussie looked slightly stunned and Newtonmore continued to press with David Cheyne firing over the bar in 2 minutes. Andrew Borthwick did well to deal with a bouncing ball into the D a minute later. The onslaught continued and Newtonmore doubled their advantage on 6 minutes. A Jamie Robinson free hit from the middle of the park found Danny MacRae on the Newtonmore left. He crossed the ball at the second attempt and with the Kingussie defence seeming to lose shape, MacRae’s cross found the unmarked Steven MacDonald at the back post and he had time to control the ball before sending a blistering drive into the net to make it 2-0. Kingussie looked shell-shocked and many in the Bught Park crowd could hardly believe what they were witnessing. Kingussie fought back and captainRonald Rosstried to fire-up his troops by showing his determination in a couple of meaty challenges with Norman Campbell but the Newtonmore full back was proving a formidable opponent, even at this early stage of the game. Thomas Borthwick and Ryan Borthwick conjured up a half chance on 13 minutes with the latter shooting into the side-net. Newtonmore returned onto the attack with their direct style of play and Steven MacDonald shot over on 17 minutes. There was a flashpoint a moment later when a clash between Kingussie full back Ally MacLeod and Newtonmore full forward Glen MacKintosh left the Kings man with a cut nose after he was caught by a high stick. Kingussie manager Stevie Borthwick was furious at what he perceived as a lack of protection for his players and MacLeod was replaced by veteran Rory Fraser. Andrew Borthwick had to be alert to block a Danny MacRae effort on 23 minutes and he cleared the danger with Glen MacKintosh closing in. Rory Fraser’s experience seemed to settle Kingussie and whilst Ally MacLeod was not responsible for either of the opening goals, the defensive unit looked more secure with Fraser’s presence. Thomas Borthwick got on the end of aRonald Rosspass of 25 minutes but his half volley went just over the top. A good block from Scott Campbell denied Martin Dallas when the 19 year old got on the end of a corner from the left a minute later. Andrew Borthwick had to keep his eye on a great Steven MacDonald lob from midfield on 28 minutes and Rory Fraser helped cleared the danger. Danny MacRae shot into the side netting on 32 minutes after good lead up play from Glen MacKintosh. Seconds later Kingussie pulled a goal back. Thomas Borthwick challenged for a ball in the air fromAndrewBorthwick’s massive clearance and the ball fell to the on-rushing Fraser Munro on the left. He took a touch to evade a diving challenge from Jamie Robinson before unleashing a spectacular shot into Michael Ritchie’s top left corner of the net to make it 2-1. Kingussie replaced Martin Dallas with Louis Munro of 34 minutes. Michael Ritchie made a good save with his left hand from aRonald Rossback-hand effort on 36 minutes at the expense of a corner which the keeper also cleared when the ball spun off defender Fraser MacKintosh’s caman. Stevie MacDonald missed a good chance on 40 minutes when he was put through by Danny MacRae with Lee Bain challenging. Cameron Binnie was penalised for a shove on Fraser Munro right on the edge of the D on 40 minutes.Ronald Rosstried to find Ryan Borthwick with the free-hit but Newtonmore cleared the danger. Ronald Ross sent a shot just past the post on 42 minutes after taking down a Paul Gow shy form the right before shooting from the edge of the D. After dominating most of the first half, Newtonmore found themselves with only a single goal lead to show for their efforts and Kingussie were coming more and more into the game. However ‘More regained their two goal advantage just seconds into five minutes of first half stoppage time. ‘More were awarded a free-hit on the left touchline when the linesman indicated that Lee Bain had kicked the ball as he challenged Paul MacArthur for possession. Paul MacArthur took the free-hit himself and he found Steven MacDonald who slipped the ball to Danny MacRae who swept possession right to David Cheyne. The Kingussie defence seemed to lose track of Danny MacRae and when Cheyne’s shot was deflected into MacRae path in front of goal, he drove a back-hand shot into the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Norman Campbell did well to sweep away a Paul Gow shy from the right as Kingussie showed an immediate response. Lee Bain foiled Cameron Binnie and Steven MacDonald as Newtonmore took a two goal lead into the break. David Cheyne fired just wide from the restart. Kingussie made a tactical switch by moving Ronald Ross to buckshee forward with Ryan Borthwick going to full forward. Martin Dallas came on in place of Greg MacRae after 49 minutes with Louis Munro dropping back into midfield. Danny MacRae slipped the ball to Glen MacKintosh after 51 minutes but he couldn’t get a shot on target thanks to good work by Gary Munro. The Kingussie support claimed for a penalty seconds later as Thomas Borthwick burst forward. Rory Kennedy nicked the ball away and cleared the danger. Referee Deek Cameron waved away the Kingussie appeals and he looked to be correct in doing so. A Glen MacKintosh shot almost deceived Andrew Borthwick on 52 minutes as the game swung from end to end. A minute later Michael Ritchie made a great save with his left foot from a Ronald Ross shot as the Kingussie captain got on the end of a Paul Gow shy from the right. Ackie MacRae replaced David Cheyne on 55 minutes with Cheyne suffering from flu in the lead-up to the final. James Hutchison got in the way for twice foil Ackie MacRae on 59 minutes. Ryan Borthwick cause havoc when he ran at the Newtonmore defence on the hour mark but the ball seemed to stick in the grass as he reached the D and the ball was cleared. Kingussie were staring to take a control of the midfield with Louis Munro influential. Ryan Borthwick played a one-two with Ronald Ross on 61 minutes but the ball was cleared by Norman Campbell. However the clearance only reached Fraser Munro and he pushed the ball forward to Martin Dallas who fired a magnificent shot over Ritchie’s left shoulder to make it 3-2. Kingussie took confidence from the goal and another Dallas shot was deflected for a corner a minute later. Newtonmore responded and a Glen MacKintosh shot went inches over the bar after Gary Munro had dropped his caman. Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur introduced Scott Chisholm in place of Jamie Robinson on 65 minutes. Scott Campbell made a great challenge to deny Thomas Borthwick seconds later. Michael Ritchie did well to deal with a Paul Gow ball into the D on 66 minutes. Andrew Borthwick palmed away an awkward bouncing effort from Steven MacDonald a minute later. Ackie MacRae missed a great chance to make it 4-2 on 69 minutes when he was put through by Danny MacRae but his effort went past the post. It was Newtonmore boss Norman MacArthur’s turn to feel aggrieved on 71 minutes when a James Hutchison swing seemed to catch Ackie MacRae. Referee Deek Cameron restarted the game with a throw up and Fraser Munro appeared to take a blow to the back of the head following a niggle with Scott Chisholm. Another fantastic tackle from Norman Campbell snuffed out the threat of Ryan a minute later and the ball was cleared for a shy. Fraser Munro took the resultant shy and the ball fell for Ryan Borthwick just outside the D but his shot went wide of target. With time running out, the next goal was going to be crucial. There seemed little danger when Paul MacArthur was penalised just inside the Kingussie half for pushing Paul Gow in the back. Gow sent a long free-hit which found Ronald Ross around 20 yards out with his back to goal. The Kingussie talisman was surrounded by three Newtonmore defenders but he swivelled before shooting with the merest of back-lift and he placed the ball low into the net to the delight of the Kingussie support. It was 3-3 and there were less than 12 minutes of regulation time remaining. Kingussie introduced Craig Dawson at full forward in place of Martin Dallas a minute later. Newtonmore took David Cheyne back on in place of Scott Chisholm on 81 minutes. Craig Dawson was doing his best to ruffle the Newtonmore defence and as he jostled with Norman Campbell at a goal hit, Michael Ritchie’s hit-out caught Norman Campbell on the side of the head with neither player 5 yards away from the ball. Newtonmore manager Norman MacArthur had an anxious wait of almost two and a half minutes to see if his influential full back was able to continue as he received treatment. He will have been relieved to see s shaken Campbell get to his feet to continue the game. Play restarted with a throw-up mid-way through the Newtonmore half. Kingussie tried to pick up the momentum and Ronald Ross set up Thomas Borthwick on 84 minutes and Fraser MacKintosh seemed to kick the ball as he cleared the danger. The Newtonmore support claimed for a penalty as David Cheyne went down as he burst into the D under the challenge of Rory Fraser and James Hutchison on 87 minutes. Newtonmore pressed in the closing minutes with Andrew Borthwick having to deal with a bobbling effort from Danny MacRae and a run and shot from Steven MacDonald whistling wide of the Kingussie goal. Kingussie had to move Lee Bain into attack with Ryan Borthwick dropping back into defence as tiredness set in on both sides. A Cameron Binnie pass found David Cheyne on the Newtonmore left on 90 minutes but the ball took a horrible bobble before Cheyne could shoot. Ronald Ross shot over as the game entered 3 minutes stoppage time and Kingussie re-introduced Martin Dallas with an exhausted Lee Bain leaving the field. Ronald Ross was involved in the action again seconds later when he nonchalantly lobbed a ball forward from midfield to the edge of the Newtonmore D. Michael Ritchie got to the ball first but his clearance came off the on-rushing Martin Dallas, leaving the ‘More fans behind the goal with their hearts in their mouths. Play raged to the other end and a Danny MacRae shot was deflected for a corner by James Hutchison on 92 minutes. The corner came to nothing and a blast from referee Deek Cameron’s whistle took the 104th Camanachd Cup Final into an extra time period. Fraser Munro was upended by Scott Campbell on 91 minutes. The free-hit was cleared and Munro seemed to be suffering from cramp. Andrew Borthwick made a great save with his right foot to deny Danny MacRae on 93 minutes. Ritchie had to clear a bouncing Martin Dallas shot for a corner on 96 minutes with Ronald Ross closing in on him. A great block by Norman Campbell on 97 minutes left Craig Dawson with a shattered caman. Some great defending from Gary Munro thwarted ‘More on 99 minutes before a David Cheyne shot was deflected wide of goal but the deflection was missed by both referee and goal judge. A Newtonmore free-hit from the left on 102 minutes found Danny MacRae on the right. MacRae cut in across goal but keeper Andrew Borthwick seemed to block his run and the forward hit the ground. Ronald Ross fizzed a shot into the side netting from just inside the D on 104 minutes as Craig Dawson knocked down a Paul Gow shy. Each side made a change during the extra time interval. Newtonmore put John MacKenzie on instead of David Cheyne whilst Kingussie took off Craig Dawson and Lee Bain returned to the fold. There was panic in the Kingussie defence in the opening period of the second half. John MacKenzie made an immediate impact by playing in a good, low cross from the left. Andrew Borthwick missed his first attempt to clear but he got the ball away for a corner at the second attempt with Danny MacRae breathing down his neck. Ronald Ross played the ball through to Lee Bain on 107 minutes and referee Cameron awarded the Kings a free-hit for a shove on Bain. Ross took a rehearsed free-hit and he slipped the ball to Bain. What happened next highlighted how narrow the margin was to be between winning and losing shinty’s greatest prize as Bain’s snap-shot rose only inches over the crossbar. Michael Ritchie saved Newtonmore on 110 minutes as he came off his line to dispossess Lee Bain and clear for a corner after the Kingussie man had jinked his way into the D following a corner from the right. Ronald Ross shot wide from the resultant corner. A John MacKenzie shot was deflected wide on 113 minutes after his initial ball into the danger area was cleared by Ryan Borthwick. MacKenzie took the corner from the right himself but Rory Fraser cleared the ball for a shy on the left. Paul MacArthur sent the shy into the goal area and the ball was cleared again but only as far as MacArthur. He crossed again and Kingussie struggled to get the ball away as John MacKenzie used his strength to play the ball into the D. Ryan Borthwick cleared from inside the D but the ball came back to MacKenzie who battled with James Hutchison before slipping the ball to Danny MacRae. As the sun started to appear on the Bught, MacRae had space to steady himself before sending a back-hand shot through a ruck of players past Andrew Borthwick to complete his hat-trick and put Newtonmore 4-3 ahead with only five and a half minutes of the final remaining. Kingussie took Ally MacLeod on in place of Fraser Munro. MacLeod went into the defence with Ryan Borthwick returning to the forward line. Just seconds later Fraser Munro returned after receiving instruction from the Kingussie bench and Martin Dallas was withdrawn. Newtonmore took David Cheyne back on in place of Ackie MacRae with 90 seconds remaining. There was a last chance for Kingussie to take the game to penalties as Louis Munro found Ronald Ross wide on the right. Ross played a low cross which found Fraser Munro 20 yards from goal but his shot went well over the bar. With time almost up, Cameron Binnie won possession in midfield and played a ball deep into the Kingussie goal area. Andrew Borthwick palmed the ball away before Rory Borthwick knocked it out for a corner. John MacKenzie, who had made such a big impact since coming on as a substitute, took the corner and as the ball came across goal, Danny MacRae ran it into the far corner to run down the clock. It was the last action of a final which will live long in the memories of all who were there. Both teams deserved enormous credit for putting on what was such a titanic battle between shinty’s fiercest rivals. Players and supporters celebrated together with Newtonmore legend Tarzan Ritchie sprinting onto the field to congratulate his son Michael Ritchie who had collapsed to the ground in a mixture of relief and delight. It just wasn’t to be for Kingussie and they were best served by Lee Bain and Louis Munro since his introduction as a first half substitute. Full back Norman Campbell and three goal Danny MacRae stood out amongst the Newtonmore heroes. Newtonmore captain Scott Campbell was presented with the famous trophy by Minister for Sport and Commonwealth Games, Shona Robison MSP. Norman Campbell picked up the Albert Smith medal for the man of the match which was presented by Rena Smith. There were tears of joy as the Newtonmore support celebrated and the long wait was over.
Newtonmore from: Michael Ritchie; Norman Campbell, Scott Campbell (captain), Fraser Mackintosh, Rory Kennedy, Cameron Binnie, Jamie Robinson, Paul MacArthur, Steven Macdonald, David Cheyne, Danny MacRae, Glen Mackintosh subs Ackie MacRae, Scott Chisholm, John MacKenzie Goal Judges; Gus Campbell, Jock Matheson Fourth Official; Ted MacDonald Linemen; Graeme MacMillan, Kevin Cheeseman, Iain Kennedy, Evan MacRae |